Why the PS3 might share the same fate as the PSP

Opinion Especially with the recent indicators that the Wii is outselling the PS3, I'm beginning to think I'm seeing the PSP vs the DS again, but writ large.

On the one hand you've got the Wii, a game console with a unique control system. Its graphically superior Sony competitor, the PS3, is more expensive, pumps out better graphics and is sold as a high-end media device. Sound familiar? The problem is that a lot of the same mistakes made on the PSP are being made on the PS3.

It comes down to the games. The design of the DS actually forced developers to be more imaginative. Developers who tried to release downgraded ports met with utter failure, on the whole. The PSP, on the other hand, had a lot of games that were pretty, but lacking in imagination and often unsuited to portable play. The PS3 so far hasn't really had games that are that imaginative.

Almost all of the stuff released so far could have been accomplished on the last generation of consoles. The graphical upgrade's the only difference that's been made. Whether you love or hate the Wii, that's not a criticism you can make of the Nintendo console. The design of the Wii means that developers are forced to come up with a more unique gaming experience. Sometimes it doesn't work that well, but on the whole it's more likely to attract innovation, especially when combined with lower development cost for the Wii.

The PS3 has a lot of potential: the vast power of the cell chip could provide developers with the means to create mind-bendingly brilliant, different games. Unfortunately, there just aren't that many games which seem to be intent on using it yet.